InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate - ON HOLD ❯ PART NINE ( Chapter 9 )

DISCLAIMER - The ownership and general brilliance that is the original Feudal Fairy Tale remains the property of its honored and rightfully revered creator Rumiko Takahashi without whose brilliance, we would not have fodder.

Mature: Sexual content, you have been warned.

Reviews are fuel.

EP

 

Japanese Phrases/Words Used In Part Nine

Tanjyoubi - Birthday

Kogai - Hair Pin

 

Kosode - The kosode was originally an undergarment which came out from under the karaginu-mo during the Kamakura period (1172-1333 CE) and transitioned to outerwear. Many of the characteristics of what Westerners associate with traditional Japanese style developed after 1600. In fact the word "kimono," ("thing to wear") evolved in the late 19th century as a way to differentiate between Japanese and Western-style clothing. The kosode or "small sleeve" refers to the small opening of the sleeve which differentiates it from the big open sleeves of the layers of Heian (794-1172 CE) court robes worn over it.

 

Fusuma - In Japanese architecture, fusuma are opaque vertical rectangles which can slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, or act as doors.

 

Tenshu - Tower, will be sufficient for this interpretation

 

Tansu - An Armoire/Chest

 

Honmaru - The innermost structure of a castle was called honmaru or main circle, it is the most protecting by virtue of its position within the castle grounds.

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Part Nine - This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate

 

“Ayumi, you have a lot of explaining to do,” Kagome said as she looked at her clock on her nightstand. It was near two am, now was hardly the time to call her friend and demand an explanation. Clearly, Ayumi and Mom had been talking.

“Sigh.”

There was still her pack to organize. She had not bothered to empty it of its contents the day before. A stack of fresh clothes sat at the foot of her bed, along with supplies.

`I really should see about a new backpack, perhaps the next time I'm home,' she decided with a sleepy yawn.

`Right, the sooner I pack, the sooner I get to sleep,' the miko reached for the less than pre-possessing pack, which had seen better days, and tipped its meager contents unto her bed.

It was with surprise she remembered there had been one gift not yet opened, for whatever reason she had taken out her tachi's not realizing there had been another. The parchment covering the thin oblong box was of the finest quality kabe washi paper in the softest beige hue, an absolute treat for the fingers, as she stroked the paper.

`Definitely Sesshoumaru,' she smiled softly, `When did he find the time to do this?' she wondered.

“Hn” she intoned in an unconscious imitation of the Western Lord, “Guess, I better open it then,” she whispered in sudden happy excitement as she sat on the bed smiling in anticipation of its contents.

The delicate washi parchment had been so meticulously folded she had trouble finding its seams, which cosseted the thin beautiful lacquered rosewood box within. The priestess opened it, eyes suddenly large in shock. There laying on the sumptuous silk lining were two objects; that of an etched tortoise shell comb of iridescent amber in color and a matching pin whose tips were etched with the symbols of a waning moon and cherry blossoms.

The delicate tortoise shell hair comb and kogai set had a thin vein of gold that ran through its design, enhancing the darker striations of its pin and delicate citrine colored tips reminiscent of the Taiyoukai's eyes. Kagome was stunned. This had to be a rare antique. This was for a noble woman, or more accurately a demoness, certainly not a ningen female. She touched the kogai, feeling its cool smoothness in awe below her finger.

“Sesshoumaru, why?” she whispered. Her mind running over their last encounter, she knew intrinsically this gift was precious. Carefully, she closed the box for fear of damaging it. Tomorrow she would show it to her mother. Perhaps she could offer an explanation. The impromptu gift, she had purchased and looked at on her dressing table was paltry by comparison and probably would not do. While shopping for supplies, she had stocked up on the shampoo and conditioner he seemed to have liked so much.

Kagome sat looking at the delicate box in her hands completely perplexed. The Taiyoukai was a complex entity, a cold diabolical being capable of unsurpassed cruelty in one moment and the very next equally capable of refinement and delicacy of intent - in short, he was an enigma wrapped handsomely in a paradox.

“Right,” she said, finally resolved to pack. As it was, the miko would get very little sleep, the cool breeze her only comfort in the silence of the star filled night. Her lone light lit in the Higurashi home, as she packed in ready anticipation of her next encounter with that of a dog demon.

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“God damn pack! Why do I do this?” she wondered aloud, as she tried desperately to figure out how the hell she was going to get herself and it out of the Bone Eater's Well.

The priestess' mother had thought it best she wear the comb and kogai in an upswept bun with soft tendrils about her face. It happened to be unseasonably hot that day, and this fancy do was giving her hell. `How did geisha do this shit?'she thought, then again, `those women of quintessential feminine delicacy never lifted a finger in dressing,' she corrected herself.

The miko on the other hand, had arrived somewhat late - as usual. Taking the time to have a good long bath, she never knew when the next time this opportunity would arise.

What she failed to admit was, she had taken an extra long soak and given herself a mani-pedi - purely as she needed it, of course. Kagome, usually a shower, and cream girl followed by a rough brushing of her long tresses allowing them to dry of their own accord, had spent time, more time in the bathroom than usual trying to understand how to lodge the damn kogai in particular. She even went so far as to go online and look up how it should be done, since most Japanese women in modern times reserved such items for weddings and celebrations. It was no longer normal everyday wear.

She had laughed at her own stupidity. It had NEVER been `normal' everyday wear to do one's hair in this elegant display, only for noble women with servants in the Feudal Era.

Kagome's mother finally had come to her rescue.

Her mother never failed to surprise.

She had taken the comb and its matching pin and examined it with a secretive smile. Mrs. Higurashi never said a word but, instead, sat her daughter on the closed toilet and brushed her hair softly creating the upswept chignon and delicately placed both items effortlessly; kissing Kagome on the forehead and then left. She had to get Souta up. He had slept through the alarm - again.

Her mind still on how best to extricate herself from the current challenge of getting a hundred pound pack - well it felt that way - out, and herself, not much heavier, out of this damn well. The miko heard a masculine whistle above her. `Definitely not Inuyasha,' she thought, unsure of whether to call out for help, one never knew what one was bargaining for in this era. It could well be an enemy and so she waited. Suddenly a shadowy figure's head came over the well's lip.

“Kouga! Oh Kami, am I glad to see you. Help me with this will you?” the priestess said with visible relief etched in her beautiful face and smile.

“Ka-goooooo-meeee, I thought it was you,” the Ookami Prince said leaping down effortlessly and within moments wrapping his strong arms about her and the pack and leapt out again.

“My pleasure, I am always here to serve my woman. Where is dog shit? Doesn't he usual come for you? Now, if you were my woman, I would…” she cut him off abruptly as they landed on the soft grass.

“Kouga, I am a bit late. Inuyasha does not take well to that. What are you doing here? Aren't you getting hitched, I mean mated? There will be no more talk of me being your woman. I don't honestly think Ayame would appreciate it, and NEITHER do I,” she said staring him directly in the eyes, arms akimbo, as she blew a wayward tendril out of eyes.

The prince was so mesmerized by the vision in front of him, he neglected to hear her words. `Kami she was beautiful,' he mused, arms folded. His handsome face smiled down at this most delicious of bitches. `What he wouldn't give for a nice quiet cave and some comfy furs right now with her beneath him crying out his name as he staked his claim repeatedly.'

“Kouga, hello? Kouga, stop looking at me like that!” she said in her usual frustrated tone whenever she spoke to him. `What was with youkai males anyway?' She could fairly well guess the tenure of his thoughts by his lascivious smile. She knew perfectly well none of those thoughts featured Ayume, his intended.

“Now priestess, be fair, how can any self respecting male, not look at you in such a manner? You are perfect, right down to your hair, which I might add is looking exceptionally beautiful today.” He said bowing to her deferentially.

“Hn…,” she said in exasperation, not realizing her response as she reached for the over-loaded pack, deciding to leave well enough alone for the time being. It was time to head to the campsite and collect Shippou, after spending some time with her tachi and getting an update on Naraku's whereabouts, if any. She was looking forward to the long walk to the Western Shiro. It would offer her a chance to think. The Taiyoukai might be an egotistical prick but she desperately wanted to see him, to be near him. The miko did not allow her thoughts to venture further beyond their face-to-face meeting.

Kouga quickly jerked upright, his face suddenly serious and his blue eyes hooded in thought. The wolf prince had just visited with the Inu-tachi, needing a breath of fresh air. His head was throbbing from his recent hangover and his body required a good long run to clear his mind and naturally, his feet took him to Inuyasha's Forest… he had hoped to see the miko.

The hanyou was unusually silent at his entry into their camp, selected instead to maintain his post in his favorite tree, not bothering to descend for the usual skirmish. No point really, now that the Ookami thought about it, the miko was not present to fight over. There was simply no need for masculine displays of ownership for property not there.

The houshi had always been his comrade, sharing a similar bent when it came to appreciation of the female form and they had talked. The priest had mentioned Kagome's tanjyoubi and more interestingly Lord Sesshoumaru's presence. That explained a great deal including the fact that his throat still bore marks on his tanned skin.

“Happy Belated Birthday, Priestess,” he said somewhat reserved a smile playing around his lips, but not his eyes, as he continued to watch her carefully.

Kagome looked up and smiled that disarming smile of hers. His heart melted at the sight, her even white teeth and soft dimpled cheeks, her eyes smiling at him in surprise.

“Thank you Kouga. How is the preparation for the feast going? Has Ayume arrived yet?” she inquired in a conversational tone. `Perhaps if she kept reminding him of his commitments he would get that dazed love sick puppy look out his eyes, each time he spoke to her.' she hoped.

Kouga's good-natured smile froze on his handsome tanned face. This was not what he wanted to talk about. The Ookami's long, wind swept run's entire purpose had been to rid his mind of this very disaster in the making. Little did Kagome know, the prince was holdup at the Western Shiro for the express reason of running from said debacle. He only had a day's reprieve left and he intended to drink himself into a hell of a stupor when he returned to the Western Palace in hopes of being unconscious at the `festive event' when his friends Ginta and Hakkaku took him back the following morning.

“All is as it will be, Kagome,” he said in a noncommittal tone.

Having finally gotten the pack in the right position, the miko once more blew a tendril out of her eyes and proceeded to walk, not expecting him to follow, but follow he did, back to her tachi making idle conversation on the way.

If he did nothing else, Kouga always managed to make her smile, whilst fending off his advances, of course, which he never missed an opportunity to try; as though attempting to wear her down. It never worked.

All was quiet when they arrived, the morning's fire pit having now only vague embers and no one anywhere in sight. `Peculiar,' the priestess thought, looking back at Kouga who simply shrugged equally puzzled. The clearing in fact showed absolutely no signs of recent habitation. They all had clearly been there recently; there was even a sign of a scuffle.

The priestess looked at Kouga with one brow raised in accusation.

“Kagome, when I was last here, nothing happened, in fact InuBrata was busy in that damn tree, looking as ignorant and irascible as ever. NOTHING happened,” the Ookami said truthfully. Kouga suspected something was very wrong and chose to stand in front of the priestess. He felt a predator near.

“Kouga, that is not necessary, I can handle myself,” she felt annoyed suddenly. The males of this era, had some ridiculous ideas of the average females capabilities if put to the test. `Or was it just the chauvinistic habits of the average youkai male?' she wondered.

The movement of branches caught both their attention as they spun in response. Well, at least Kouga spun to face the imagined or otherwise enemy. The priestess - albeit well coiffed - not quite taking into account the counter-balancing of her decidedly heavy pack, found herself unceremoniously on her ass (again) looking up at an enraged Lord of the Western Lands and close on his heels a shocked, wide eyed kitsune.

The miko had been unreasonably late, the sun well passed its zenith and the Taiyoukai, though not one to worry, had merely wanted reassurance his despicable foul-mouthed sibling had not delayed the priestess' progress.

No, Lord Sesshoumaru would be loath to admit, he had been up well before dawn. The Taiyoukai skipped practice in the dojo in favor of an exceptionally long lounge in his private hot spring with rare scented herbs, dressing, then getting underfoot of his staff overseeing the preparation of the guest chambers, a job usually reserved for Jaken, before selecting to go on patrol, alone. It was purely co-incidental this patrol happened to lead him in the general vicinity of Inuyasha's Forest.

No, it simply would never do to admit he, the Mighty Demon Lord, had been `patrolling' Inuyasha's Forest for hours in hopes of having his first glimpse of the tiresome onna.

What he had not expected to find, post a minor dust up with his wretched whelp of a half-brother, was the miko with the one individual he most wanted not to see at this moment. The damn wolf was seriously imposing on his hospitality and `extra-ordinarily' charitable nature.

“Miko, you are late,” the rich baritone intoned through gritted teeth as he approached her, lifted her to her feet and removed the offending pack, thrusting it in Kouga's outstretched arms.

“And a fine afternoon to you too, Lord Sesshoumaru,” she said in a sweetly sarcastic tone whilst he still held her hand. Kouga was unusually silent she suddenly noted, turning her head and looking at his bemused face. It seemed Kouga was not voicing something. Whatever it was, he did not look at all pleased. Her hand was yanked in that moment and the next thing she knew she was pressed up against a very hard surface.

“Kami, must you always smell so damn good? Oh and you need to do something about that armor. It hurts you know?” she said looking into his frigid amber pools which at the moment were struggling with several emotions, anger chiefly amongst them, along with frustration and something else.

“It serves its purpose, priestess. Get the kitsune, we will go now. Your tachi is in the village and are aware you will be at the Western Shiro should you be needed urgently,” he said glancing at her hair surreptitiously, his cool mask of indifference immediately fell into place like a drawn curtain.

“Prince Kouga, undoubtedly you will be returning?” the Taiyoukai said turning only slightly in the direction to the Ookami.

A small hand grasped her leg and she looked down, as if understanding, the Taiyoukai released her, allowing sufficient room for her to pick up the kitsune and hug him to her. The youkai growled, albeit softly, but he did. His growl was answered with a furrowed warning brow from the priestess as she looked up at him in challenge. He looked away summoning his cloud then, without any by your leave, he stood behind her grasping her about the waist and they were airborne.

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“Sesshoumaru, this is beautiful,” said the miko breathlessly. She could see the Western Palace off in the distance, high atop the hillside, the verdant beauty of its surroundings a feast for the eyes.

“Hn…” came the usual non-committal answer, his grip around her waist tightened and she went rigid as she tried desperately not to feel his warm hard form behind her.

“You have a moat, just like in fairy tales! Check out those walls, how high are they?”

The Taiyoukai had grown tired of her incessant chatter, and failed attempts at conversation. Regardless of whether he ignored her or not, she insisted on making banal statements. He thought of his ward. They had much in common; all this useless exuberance about seeming irrelevancies. Still, it was apparent she had a modicum of good taste, and a strong appreciation for her natural surroundings. Now, if he could simply get the miko not to fill every unforgiving minute with useless prattle, then they could make progress. Her love of the kitsune could prove problematic however. The miko being extraordinarily tactile towards him, but that would be dealt with, given time.

A dust storm below caught Kagome's attention and she waved her free hand not wrapped around Shippou acknowledging the Ookami, who was making excellent time and would undoubtedly arrive before them.

“God, just look at him, Lord Sesshoumaru, he moves like the wind,” she said admiringly. The demon's grip tightened once more instinctively, causing her to look up at him with reproach. He had jostled Shippou who had fallen asleep shortly after they had been airborne. Apparently Shippou could sleep through anything, even this beautiful view. She stroked his auburn locks and gently kissed the top of his head, unaware of the gilded glare being given to both.

“You also could move like the wind, if you had shards to enhance your innate swiftness,” he said in a bored tone of indifference.

It was not lost on Kagome they had abruptly picked up speed, and soon the Ookami was nothing but a distant funnel cloud of dust.

“Show off,” she said under her breath, adjusting Shippou, who was becoming dead weight after prolonged travel.

Sesshoumaru adjusted his position, and she soon found, his arm now encompassed both her and the kitsune, while a large strong hand now bore the weight of Shippou effortlessly.

“Good to know chivalry isn't completely dead,” she said looking up at him sideways. `Not even a fluttering lash. Dear god, look at how thick they are. That should be a crime. Women kill for lashes like that' she mused.

“The correct response miko is `thank you'. Would you rather have dropped your kitsune? This Sesshoumaru has no intentions of stopping to retrieve his dashed remains,” he intoned indifferently as their altitude decreased in increments and the cloud slowed perceptibly as they began to descend.

Ignoring his comment, he was right, and she would not give him that, she chose to admire the near mystical beauty before her.

Though the tops of the lookout towers remained shrouded in mist, the castle's true elegant beauty was unsurpassed. The castle bespoke power with its high white tenshus that reached through the tree tops, the lower moat walls were made of a granite that sloped by varying degrees transitioning into pale stones for the main fortifications. The palace was like an extraordinarily large and beautifully intricate maze.

“Oh Sesshoumaru…” The miko was speechless - a rarity.

The demon lord glanced at her amazed expression furtively and his lip curled. He had just found another means of quieting the damn female, though not as pleasant. She was capable of silence when struck by architectural beauty. He had found a commonality between them.

Kagome barely noticed when they landed, only brought back to reality by the sudden absence of his warm, hard comforting body and the sudden return of Shippou's full weight.

“Jaken, Prince Kouga is on the horizon, check his chambers for any … contraband,” the Taiyoukai intoned meaningfully. The toad, who was just a bit distracted at the moment, nodded absently, still staring at the miko who stood a few feet behind with a kitsune.

“Jaken!” the Western Lord said brusquely.

The kappa suddenly remembered, not anxious for a repeat performance of earlier that morning as he was awakened suddenly by a towering mass of rage above him holding a soiled yukata previously destined for the priestess' chambers.

“Yes my lord, right away my lord.” The imp bowed, giving one last displeased look in the direction of the female and her ward before tottering off mumbling. Always generous to a fault, the Taiyoukai aided the kappa's progress with a well placed kick to his ample, little posterior.

Despite herself, Kagome chuckled, `Poor Jaken, but he did tempt fate so regularly and had a foul attitude, particularly when dealing with ningen scum such as herself,' the miko smiled deep in thought. She had forgotten his apathy towards her. The priestess had no doubt her stay would be rife with little incidents of passive aggression on his part. Kagome vowed to do her best to handle it, if only to prolong his sorry, little life. His lord was a hard taskmaster and she though she did not like Jaken, he was still a living being and worthy of some respect, however paltry.

Shippou rubbed his eyes and looked up at her smiling. She smiled with him in turn, putting him down with much relief. Her arm was now aching.

“Oka-saan, is this where we are staying? It's pretty. Do I have my own room or can I sleep with you?” he asked, but before Kagome could kneel and answer him, Sesshoumaru spoke.

“Your chambers are situated to the left of Rin, kitsune. You will be sleeping there for the duration. Is this understood?” said a harsh, quiet baritone, an order was implicit in his statement.

Though she wanted to lash out at his sharpness to her beloved Shippou, she smirked, knowing full well why the edict. The miko's heart began to flutter as she recalled their last conversation before she left. Her lips became dry as the reality of the situation hit her. Kagome hoped she had not made a mistake. She looked up at him querulously and was surprised to find him looking back at her having surmised the content of her thoughts.

Rin knew how to make an entrance.

“Lord Sesshoumaru, you are home!” said a happy little voice.

Pushing through the guards, oblivious to the lethal weapons held and darted to her lord and master hugging his leg and beaming at Shippou who blushed and folded his little arms into his sleeves in a very good imitation of Inuyasha's usual stance.

Sesshoumaru never even acknowledged her grasp or her muddy fingers, preferring instead to issue instructions.

“Rin, you will take Shippou to view his chambers. Stop by the spring and wash, then visit the kitchen. It is time for your evening meal,” He said authoritatively brooking no argument - none was forthcoming, as Rin took his manner in stride.

“Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru,” she said brightly. Grasping Shippou's hand and waving at Kagome, she took off back through the gates and onto the castle grounds, Shippou desperately running behind in an attempt to keep up.

Kagome could not help herself as she looked at the muddy handprint just above Sesshoumaru's knee and she began to smile mischievously up at him.

“You might want to follow your own advice there, Taiyoukai,” she pointed at his now soiled silk hakama.

A raised silver brow and a decidedly lecherous leer at her chest area where sticky pokki remnants remained, was her answer.

“As should you Miko, your kitsune has left evidence of his presence,” he said smirking as he raised a hand hailing a bowing female servant to come forward. “Megumi, escort the priestess to her chambers and show her my private hot spring. She will have need of it this night,” he said softly, then turned and headed through the gates of his inner stronghold without a backwards glance at his `guest'.

The small, pretty demoness with the bright, green hair and eyes smiled cautiously, bowing to the priestess waving her hand before her indicating Kagome was to proceed. Not knowing the exact protocol, Kagome bowed in turn. She was given some rather curious glances from the staff that had lined the outer walls to get a good look at the miko, who was apparently to be in residence for some unspecified time. A precedent had been set. A mortal enemy - a miko - was to be a welcomed guest.

Kagome felt some trepidation as she walked through a maze of lantern lit tree-lined passageways. The small woman was a few steps behind, hands folded in obeisance, keeping sufficiently close enough to direct her, by seeming osmosis. The priestess' biggest worry now being how in hell to find her way about this amazingly circuitous palace…or more accurately figuring out how best to make a quick escape with her kitsune should the need arise. She wasn't too hopeful. Something about Sesshoumaru's parting words sent anticipatory chills down her spine of both excitement and fear.

The honmaru was considerably quieter than the hustle and bustle of the outer defensive circles. She could tell this is where the Taiyoukai resided.

The silence in this part of the palace was almost deafening. No sound was heard but that of the water fall, a central feature, and the creak of the lacquered wood flooring below her sneakered feet. Still, it was meditatively peaceful, reminding her of a library as the servants she saw spoke in hushed tones, bowing perfunctorily as they passed giving her sidelong glances of suspicion that were quickly averted if she registered them.

The miko suddenly felt out of place, recognizing that she was, in fact, being tolerated. It was not just going to be Jaken, she might have to look out for.

“Oka-saan, I hope you are right,” she whispered quietly, suddenly feeling rather insecure and unsure of her decision to come.

“You may leave, Megumi. Prepare our meal. Prince Kouga is, as we speak, in need of being fed,” said a smooth rich baritone just behind her.

`Damn it! He had to stop sneaking up on her like that. He was going to kill her with fright one day.' She turned to see Megumi's rapidly retreating figure but she refused to look up at him. The miko stood stock still below a rather beautiful, stunted red maple that marked the passage over a delicately crafted moon bridge.

“Miko, your private chambers are over the bridge and to the right. The first are this Sesshoumaru's,” he said without surprise at her lack of protocol in acknowledging his presence with the proper decorous bow due his station.

But, he was to be surprised.

“It is said, that the placement of a moon bridge marks the passage from one way of life to another. Such passages are not to be taken lightly,” the miko said as she looked up at him, her eyes questioning his.

Sesshoumaru was stunned by this ningen's words.

The dog demon pulled her to him roughly. Lifting her to his eye level, she noted his armor had been removed. They stood like this for what felt like an eternity. Somehow, the feel of his heart beating stilled her trepidation as she placed her arms around his neck and pulled his face to hers to impart one promissory kiss to his warm, inviting lips.

“Thank you for the birthday present. They are beautiful and I will cherish them always,” she said against his lips as he kissed her in turn, taking full advantage of her open lips to delve into her silky, warm mouth. It took but a second for the Taiyoukai to back her into the nearest wall, wrapping her legs about his waist in order to free his hands for further exploration. She, in turn, threaded her hands through the silken mass at the back of his neck, moaning softly into his kiss, while his hands kneaded her well curved backside.

Presently occupied with serious heavy petting, both miko and Taiyoukai neglected to hear soft giggles and the scurry of small feet approaching.

“Lord Sesshoumaru, Megumi is waiting with our meal in the dining hall. Prince Kouga is getting irritable and making demands again for sake,” said an excited little voice behind chubby fingers.

It was then Kagome opened her eyes and pushed Sesshoumaru, who had just discovered the pulse point at her neck that was throbbing invitingly. He closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure, his fangs had lengthened in anticipation. Kagome had no idea how close she came to being marked…and for the time being would not. His beast was angered by the interruption, it had been so close to it's ultimate goal.

The Taiyoukai eased the miko gently to the stone floor.

“You are welcome, miko, they suit you well. They were my mother's,” he said softly in her ear before turning to face Rin and Shippou with a tiny motion of his head in acknowledgement. Shippou's eyes were the size of saucers, while Rin beamed at her lord in pleasure, still hiding her face behind her hands coyly.

It took a moment for Kagome to realize what he was referring to (damn those lips of his), but she would discuss this with him later, she could not possibly accept, they were definitely heirlooms. Now she understood the looks by the servants and most especially Jaken.

Adjusting her now disheveled t-shirt and a bit pink with embarrassment at being caught in such a compromising position, she smiled at Rin and Shippou apologetically.

“I'm starving. Let's go eat, shall we,” she said with feigned cheerfulness, “Lead the way, Lord Sesshoumaru.” He pressed a hand to her mid section for her to still.

“The priestess and your lord will join you shortly. Prince Kouga may have some sake not of my private stock,” the Taiyoukai said curtly.

Taking her cue, Rin bowed and pulled the still stunned Shippou with her in the opposite direction heading back to the dining hall.

“Come,” was all he said, as he took the priestess' hand and lead her over the moon bridge to her chambers, opening the shoji doors to reveal, the ultimate in quiet understated luxury. The walls were relatively neutral, pale and almost incandescent with just a suggestion of shrimp colored washi paper. At the centre of the room lay a futon's palette covered in what appeared to be sumptuously decadent silken sheets in the softest salmon hue, accentuated by pillows covered in deeper shades of the same. There were contrasting, embossed patterns of chrysanthemums and cherry blossoms with delicate green stems, the color of the tatami below. To the right of the palette stood a dark lacquered Tansu, undoubtedly containing precious linens and a kosode or two, and on the floor next to the chest, in horrid contrast lay her backpack.

Kagome groaned, turning her face to his chest in embarrassment. `She really should have purchased a new backpack.'

“Miko, you will find the hot spring further down the hall to the left of my chambers behind the fusuma with this Sesshoumaru's family crest,” he stated as though oblivious to the simple intimacy of her face against his chest. Kagome nodded without looking up at him as he retreated to the door.

“This Sesshoumaru will return for you shortly. Use the time well to acquaint yourself with your surroundings,” he said tonelessly and left the room closing the shoji behind him.

The priestess shyly looked around the room, suddenly remembering she was still wearing her sneakers and threw herself on the futon and removed them, getting up and then placing them as neatly as possible outside the sliding doors. Not bothering to close them, she looked around now, having the privacy to be just that much more curious about her assigned quarters. The chamber was truly simply and yet elegant. To the right of the Tansu stood a low writing table with a small box she would examine later. The tatami zabuton pillows carried through the motif in the sheets of her sleeping palette; in the furthest corner stood a pale green colored porcelain bowl filled with water atop a fragile table of deepest rosewood.

A wonderful scent suddenly tickled her nose, that of Sakura blossoms. She walked to the window tipping. She had no idea why she tipped, it just seemed appropriate.

The view below was magnificent. There, before her, were two parallel rows of cherry trees in full bloom. Kagome whirled in sudden recognition of the colors in the room as a soft smile came to her lips once more.

“Perfect, simply perfect,” she said to the air as she threw herself on her palette and closed her eyes. The sheets were scented with something familiar, but not easily recognizable.

“Miko?” said a quiet baritone. Kagome jumped, legs coming over the edge of the palette abruptly as she stood.

“Oh, sorry, let's eat,” she said barging past him heading down the hall with purpose oblivious to two minor details, one, she had no shoes on, and two, she had no idea where in hell she was going. This last fact brought her to an abrupt halt as she nearly bounced off a hard warm surface - his chest. She slowly looked up to see a superciliously quirked silver brow, the miko refusing once again to look into his citrine gaze knowing what she would find there - amusement.

“You will find the dining hall in THAT direction. Allow this Sesshoumaru to lead you there, miko,” he intoned somewhat sarcastically. She turned, head held high and stuck out her chest, shoulders squared and proceeded to march in the direction his head indicated.

“One might assume priestess, you will have no further need of these?” came that now irritatingly smug tone behind her. `Don't turn around Kagome, don't turn around,' she told herself - but she did.

Kagome snatched her sneakers from his grasp and stepped into them in a run walk down the hall looking every now and then to make sure he was still behind her, while he walked slowly - casual as you please - simply observing her progress.

“Insufferable prig,” she mumbled under her breath as she came face to face with a bleary- eyed Kouga who had a cup of sake in his hand. It went flying upon contact with her right breast.

“There you are, my woman. Where have you been? I've been waiting for you,” he said meaningfully in her ear, as she pushed him away from her with force looking at the further damage to her ill-fated tee-shirt.

“Kouga! Not now!” she said through gritted teeth, nearly knocking him over as she turned into the dining hall. Two little familiar faces sat looking towards the commotion at the door.

A low menacing growl sounded in the hallway, foreshadowing a less than peaceful meal.

“Come on Kagome, we need to talk,” said Kouga bracing himself against the wall, completely unaware of the towering figure glaring at him to his right, whose claws were beginning to glow an iridescent green.

The priestess turned slowly, fed up to the eyeteeth with his stupidity and apparent inebriation. She was hungry and needed to eat, and with any luck have a nice long hot bath and … perhaps be allowed to sleep, her eyes went to the enraged figure with this last thought.

`Oh Kami,' thought Kagome, `The Wolf Prince was in for it, if she didn't do something now.'

“Jaken!” she screamed nearly waking the dead, he being the only other demon she knew at the moment. It had the desired effect. Sesshoumaru pulled his murderous eyes from Kouga and stared at her with his head turned in question.

“Good, let's bring the repulsive little bug eyed tadpole in here. I need more sake, anyway,” the Ookami Prince slurred as he slid to the floor legs splayed. Kagome hurriedly covered Rin's eyes. `Apparently, the old adage did not just apply to Scotsmen and their kilts,' the miko snorted, suddenly seeing the humor of it all.

“Right…where's the food? I am going to faint,” she said as she bent and kissed Shippou on the cheek and rubbed Rin's head before plopping in an undignified manner on the nearest pillow.

The Taiyoukai still stood in the doorway, behind him a breathless Jaken who had heard the miko's bellow and though not wanting to respond, did, for fear of …well, the obvious.

“Lord Sesshoumaru, have you need of your humble servant Jaken?” queried the little imp.

Kagome smirked… `Ahhhh yes, the passive aggression had already begun on the part of the smelly little toad.'

A now almost bestial baritone spoke.

“Take him to his quarters, place several guards at his chamber's doors. Find the other two malcontents he travels with and throw them in there, too. They are to leave the Shiro at first light, if not prior. Have them escorted to the borders right into their territory by force, if needs be. Your lord will not be attending his mating feast,” the Taiyoukai said, his eyes the color of burning flames.

“Yes, my lord,” bowed Jaken and left at an indecent speed to get help in removing the Ookami. There was a time and place for sycophancy…this was not it. His lord had spoken.

Megumi entered, silently bowing to her Taiyoukai in enquiry.

“You may serve,” he said in barely controlled fury as he strode into the room gracefully, sitting in front of the miko who watched him in trepidation of his next outburst. The room became eerily silent as the household staff moved quietly and efficiently serving their fragrant meal. Sesshoumaru never ate. He sat with his eyes closed sipping sake to pass the time.

He scented the miko's fear. It was a rarity and he did not wish to add to it or that of Rin and the kitsune.

The entire meal passed in relative silence. Little Shippou received a winning smile from Kagome every now and again, as a means of assurance that all would be well. The priestess, however, noted something curious. Rin was the only one talking animatedly as though nothing had occurred and insisted Shippou shared his trick of foxfire with Lord Sesshoumaru.

At the mention of his name, Sesshoumaru's stunning amber eyes opened, his face relaxed as he looked at Shippou intently. The kitsune was unnerved by the Taiyoukai's steady gaze, unsure of whether he had his permission or not. Sesshoumaru inclined his head, pleased with the kitsune's protocol. He knew his place.

“Go on sweetheart, show us,” said Kagome encouragingly, rubbing his back to bolster his confidence.

Shippou stood and began to entertain his small audience, rewarded with squeals of delight and clapping from his number one fan, Rin.

In this way their evening meal was passed.

Rin and Shippou were escorted to their respective chambers, leaving the two adults staring at one another across the low table. Kagome never one for protracted silences, spoke.

“I think I will take you up on that hot spring offer now,” she said, disengaging the kogai and comb unconsciously. Her hair fell about her shoulders and down her back in soft shiny, loose, coils of ebony silk. She felt a bit tired and she needed a bath before bed.

She rose and held out her hand to the Taiyoukai smiling softly.

“Thank you for a great dinner, Lord Sesshoumaru,” she said softly blushing at his gaze, her hair had clearly mesmerized him.

He stood and took her hand, leading her silently towards their respective chambers. She followed barely being able to keep up with him. `At the rate the damn male was going he would pull her freakin' arm out of its socket,' she mused, in a now aggravated fashion before attempting to yank her hand away only to be met by a firmer callused grip.

Sesshoumaru let her go outside her door, then pointed in silence towards the fusuma leading to the hot spring and was gone. `What the fuck!? Not even a good night kiss?' Kagome thought and then shrugged, `At least, I will have privacy to bathe.'

Carefully, she removed her sneakers, mindful of her previous error and slid open the screen door. At the base of her palette, neatly folded, lay a yukata of shrimp colored silk. She smiled, `Who needs a five star hotel,' she mused as she got her backpack to find her bathing supplies, the only constant of her life these days. Her entire world existed in that horrid, canvas pack.

Shippou suddenly came to her mind. It had not occurred to her before to ask where his quarters were `exactly'. She always told him a story before he went to sleep. The miko needed to speak with Sesshoumaru before he got too comfortable for the night. She grabbed the soft silken yukata and her bathing supplies and headed for the door intent on reaching him before he fell asleep.

The miko looked out her doors to be sure no one was around, then quietly padded to his shoji door with the crescent moon design and tapped lightly on the door; no response. She tapped again, now feeling somewhat self-conscious. Then looking around carefully, she opened the door a fraction and peaked in. The priestess felt very much like an intruder at that moment, he was not there. `In for a penny as they say…' she thought and opened the washi covered door wider to have a quick peak at the Western Lord's inner sanctum. The washi adorning his walls were cream colored and the transom above his exceptionally large palette had a simply cliff side motif with a lone figure at its precipice. Above said figure a full moon rose, the scene inlayed with mother-of-pearl against the dark lacquered rosewood surrounding the motif.

`It was exquisite,' she thought, without wishing to be invasive, she approached the palette for a closer look at the transom if only to touch the design. Placing a knee on the silken cream colored sheets she accidentally shifted strategically placed pillows and noted a crumpled familiar looking bit of black lace peaking up at her.

The miko froze, the Taiyoukai's room forgotten. All she could hear were rushing waves. Not from the ocean outside his panoramic view, oh no, the waves of blood coursing through her ears in rage. Kagome threw the pillows aside and there below lay her g-string and the bra that had given the Taiyoukai's sudden spat of kleptomania away.

Kagome stormed out of the room heading for the fusuma with his family crest determined to find the damn overgrown puppy and give him a piece of her mind. `Apparently the `canines' of her time were not the only dogs fond of running off with underwear and sundry, anything that smelt of their master.'

The miko was not to realize for some time that truer words were never thought.

She slid open the wooden door violently almost taking it off its bamboo railings. He was not there, instead soft scented steam reminiscent of his distinctive smell greeted her and an unparalleled view of the inner garden now lit only by soft amber lantern light and the star filled sky.

The miko was rooted to the spot, in amazement. Her anger at the lecherous puppy could wait as she lovingly placed the yukata carefully on the stone bench, closed the door gently and began disrobing gingerly.

“Kami, this was perfect,” she whispered to the cool night air closing her eyes and letting the steaming spring do its work of easing her tensions. Shippou was undoubtedly asleep by now. She would find him tomorrow after having a `little talk' with the resident thief of the castle immediately after her soak.

“The nerve if the damn pervert,” she said aloud, completely unaware that heated amber rimmed in red watched her at a secretive distance shrouded in a black silk yukata. He had just managed to escape her wrath in time as he heard her heading to the spring leaving no tell tale signs of ever having been there.

Like a phantom in the night, he was gone. It was time to tend the red maples.

Resigning herself to losing the warm comfort of the delicately scented water, she dried herself and tied her new robe, which fit as though made for her. Her skin glowing softly, unaware of how well the silky material's color complemented her peaches and cream complexion. Letting down her hair from its chignon she turned once again to the door, determined to put her soiled clothing away and then deal with a certain Lord of the Western Crotch.

“Here I come,” Kagome said out loud. There was no doubt what he had been doing with her under things, particularly the g-string that had puncture marks.

The priestess was livid. Her temper not improving the longer she waited as she stalked his chambers, every now and then stopping believing she heard him coming down the hall.

“Where in hell was the sneaky bastard?” she intoned irritably, the g-string dangling by her index finger, as Exhibit A.

Just then the shoji door flew open and there stood the most deliciously magnificent thing she had seen all day, dressed in a black silk yukata and by all appearances, nothing more. The miko could feel the intensity of his gaze as it traveled down her body giving her shivers to her very core. `Perhaps their little chat could wait,” she thought as she leered back at him with equal intensity.

“We will rut now, Miko” said the Lord of The Western Lands without any pre-able beginning to disrobe. His desire for the ningen frightened him. Oh yes, he had bitches, in all manner of positions, however, he wanted this female as he had never wanted another before. He needed the conquest of this miko.

“How utterly romantic of you, Sesshoumaru. What position would you like me in? Let me guess,” she said touching one delicate finger to her full soft lips. “Oh I know… Doggy-Style?” she said with a sarcastic smile on her usually beautiful face which had taken on rather hard lines of anger; her g-string dangling over one manicured finger suggestively.

Her tone told Sesshoumaru, this was not going to be quite as straight forward as he planned. There on one elegantly tapered finger dangled the evidence of her misappropriated garment. She undoubtedly needed an explanation before he could introduce her to the delights of carnal pleasure.

“Miko, do not be tiresome. This Sesshoumaru intends to rut with you this night,” he said with a barely controlled edge to his voice. She was pushing him beyond what he could reasonably bear. He would not take her by force but if she kept this up, he did not know how long he could keep his beast at bay, though it remained silent. The Taiyoukai was perplexed at this and almost missed the miko's next utterance.

“Let me tell you something Horny Puppy, unless I know why my favorite underwear just happened to be under your god damn pillows…guess what you're not entering tonight?!” she said in a harsh tone and deciding to make for the shoji doors back to her chambers.

“Bitch! Get on that palette now! This Sesshoumaru will not discuss your delicates,” he ground out hoarsely. He would not beg for what he felt was rightfully his. She was going to enjoy this or his name was not ….

“Fuck you! Lord Studly” she growled as she tightened her robe, prepared to bolt for the sliding doors, `What the hell had she been thinking? This was no longer a good idea, by any stretch of the imagination,' she thought. Her previous fear of the unknown completely gone as she now was beside herself with anger at his complete egotistical self- absorption and audacity in thinking he could command her into his palette.

“A little ambitious perhaps, but this Taiyoukai will humor the priestess, as this is her first time.”

She blinked… `He did not just say that.'

“Excuse me?” she said shrilly, feeling the tell tale signs of her miko powers attempting to surface, and yet, subconsciously she quelled them.

“Yes, it is most honorable to humor a bitch in her first encounter. It makes the sexual passage to womanhood that much more pleasurable for both involved,” he said with superior flip of his head.

“Humor? Humor? So I guess back at the hot spring, you were humoring the hell out of my …my…”, she blushed, unable to finish the sentence. `Why did he always get her riled so easily?'

Sesshoumaru sighed. `This was promising to be a long night.'

“Miko, it is understandable that you fear that which you have not personally experienced. Rutting is not without its merits and your fear will be forgotten in rapture as this Sesshoumaru is well versed in the art of copulating, and will not harm you.”

“Yeah well and good, but you aren't the one having a blunt object thrust into your nethers now are you!?” She had not meant to speak her greatest fear. Pain.

Kagome was never good with pain, however fleeting. Hell, a paper cut had her losing her mind and yet, she could bandage a wound in the middle of battle with ease. The priestess had sustained great injuries herself with nary a moan. This was different. This was personal. She was giving of her body, her trust, to another, allowing another power over her form. She was to be vulnerable.

“Miko I assure you the act with this Sesshoumaru will be memorable...nothing will compare,” he said beginning to stalk towards her like the predator he was.

"Don't you think a lot of yourself, though? Who has critiqued your `performance' and lived to tell about it?” she hissed at him backing up towards the balcony only stopping as her heel hit the first stair.

“Miko are you questioning my masculine prowess? It is one thing to be born with exceptional equipment. It is quite another to know how to use it,” he said indignantly the lord demon never once, in memory, having had a complaint from any bitch. They were friction that was all, and yet, they screamed with the act in unsurpassed joy he knew - almost deafening him.

He was inherently marvelous at coital play and the miko would soon have first hand knowledge of this obvious fact. It was like so many other things, a force of wills, understanding the pleasure points of one's partner, stamina and skill acquired through repetition. The miko would be a quivering mass of sensitive nerve ending when he was done with her, if the damn bitch would just allow it.

“Come here woman,” he said in a sultry tone eyeing her speculatively.

`Oh no, you don't,' she thought, he knew what he looked like. She knew what he smelt like and knew, in that moment, that should she approach him, she was toast. `Come on Kagome, think of something think of something. Don't look into his eyes that would be your death knell,' the priestess thought suddenly. She knew, intrinsically, despite her protests and fear (yes fear) she knew she would succumb the minute he touched her, and unfortunately so did the Taiyoukai.

`The best thing was to keep the palette between them, however soft the sheets looked, however gorgeous he looked just standing there, soft silky hair glowing in the firelight, his robe just so exposing a long line of abs that made her mouth water…and what lay as yet unrevealed below… NO! Stop it Kagome, you have a point to make, think!' she held her robe, not to close, but as a reminder she must get away as soon as possible.

The Taiyoukai eased himself up off the wall and walked to the palette, never once letting his eyes leave hers and sat. The Western Lord adjust a few pillows behind his head then swung his legs onto the futon, keeping his legs closed and then crossing them exaggeratedly and folding his arms across his chest …waiting.

`Yes, he was actually waiting.' she realized. `Fine, then he would wait until hell had frozen over, cause she was not going anywhere near an open flame. …And he was that…looking all delicious and tempting and wickedly sexy,' she groaned…

`The next move would be the miko's' he smirked, having heard her groan.

He knew she desired him as much as he desired her. She was frightened at that moment and intended to do everything to avoid the inevitable… `he could wait,' he knew she would come to him, on her own terms. She had come this far, she would not turn back.

He just had to wait.

“You are fond of making this Sesshoumaru repeat himself miko. Come here,” he said once more in a sultry bored tone.

The priestess suddenly felt like an ingénue but without finesse and crushed the g-string in frustration throwing it to the tatami. This was not filling all her romantic delusions of being swept away in a moment of passion, where she had no responsibility in the outcome. He was making her choose. THAT was not part of the game plan; at least she had never heard that is how it should go.

“What do you want?” she said defensively, shuffling her feet and now refusing to look into his eyes directly, choosing instead to hide behind her bangs watching him furtively.

“You are to touch me,” he said without any further explanation his face now unreadable, his eyes hooded in vague amusement, his lips quirked.

“Touch you… touch you `where' exactly?” she said somewhat taken aback. `What was he playing at?' she wondered, her anger dissipating by degree, replaced by confusion.

“Wherever you wish; this Sesshoumaru will not move,” he said matter-of-factly, flicking a silken strand over his shoulder.

He could see the tension leaving her body. He had surmised rightly. The bitch needed to have control of the act, at least, the appearance of control, whether she realized it or not.

The Taiyoukai would grant her with this. He had once been new to rutting himself, many moons ago. Her scent was rising despite her protestations, as her fear abated replaced by a scent of confusion and lust.

His beast was quiet, it knew why. It found it's mate. All it had to do was wait, even the Taiyoukai was falling despite himself. He viewed this as a conquest, a simple rut, his beast knew better. There was no longer any need to fight or lead it's master, it's work was nearly done. It, too, could wait for their mutual surrender to the inevitable.

“Sesshoumaru?” the miko said quietly, walking around the palette to his side and slumped beside his hip.

“Miko?”

She looked at him, `God he was beautiful. What was wrong with her?' she thought unhappily as she clenched and unclenched her fingers.

“Look, I have never done this before and well, it is a bit scary you know. I came, right? I know that this was…well, I want, and …but, you know, I kind of don't know…,” she babbled breathlessly throwing her hands in the air, said hands coming down in a plop on her silken lap.

“It is normal, miko.” He said softly, never moving, as promised.

“Can I kiss you? I love kissing you. You have beautiful lips, did you know that and you smell so very good,” she said innocently staring at him without guile and a shy smile.

The demon lord's heart lurched for some inexplicable reason. It was her candor, there was no hidden agenda. The miko was not being coy, she was stating the simple fact of her feelings.

“Then kiss me, Miko,” he said softly, the gentleness of his voice made her turn to him suddenly, unsure of her next move. He really wasn't moving she noted, instead, his eyes, which were rather disconcerting, merely watched her, their amber glow reflecting the firelight tinged with a ruby's light.

“Okay just one kiss. Don't jump me or anything… got it?!” she said in a higher pitch than she intended, waving a finger at him. He made to bite it in play. She smiled at him.

She moved slowly towards his face then stopped and licked her lips nervously.

“Can you not sorta look at me, please? Kind of close your eyes or something. Just this once, please?” She said with an unusually pleading tone.

“This Sesshoumaru enjoys looking at the miko's varied expressions; he will not stop. You will kiss him now, woman,” he said softly, and with that, he pulled her to him and under him in one swift masterful movement.

`Patience is one thing, stupidity quite another. Left to the priestess this simple act could take forever.'

Kagome did not protest - initially.

The warmth of his body was doing rather unnatural things to her head and parts we need not mention. They kissed, at first tentatively. He allowing her the first tender moves of submission and acquiescence, finding their own rhythm of touch and sense as their tongues dueled once again, her tongue sliding over his fangs in curiosity eliciting a moan in turn from him. His lips were this side of heaven, she thought as she sucked on his lower lip softly, nipping lightly at his velvety warmth. Pulling his body closely to hers, she moved with an internal rhythm that begged for fulfillment beyond this simple intimate touch and wrapped her strong well toned legs around him, pulling him tightly to her, as their kiss deepened, the very movement releasing her scent of arousal.

The pangs of primal need to be filled made themselves known to her. The dog demon was hard beneath the silk, she felt it, and in turn felt her own reciprocal warmth and wetness growing in answer to their respective need.

“You lied,” she said in a whisper while tentatively nibbling his earlobe, her hands moving down his taut back muscles, the silky warmth of his yukata leaving his shoulders as they wrestled with their respective robes.

“It was necessary,” came the soft mumbled refrain, as his lips sought the delicate pulse point at her throat, nipping her softly leaving just the tiniest marks of possession. She ground her hips to his once more, indicating her readiness. He shrugged off the robe, revealing that delectable torso she had dreamed about the night before, her hands moved to touch him in wonderment at his absolute perfection. He rose above her, sitting back on his heels straddling her, his eye's a passionate ruby hue as he stared at her breasts now fully revealed, her nipples hard and awaiting his touch.

“You Miko, are desirable,” he said in a husky soft tone. He removed her hands softly and fully disrobed, anxious to continue the proceedings. The mood was set and this promise to be a blissful rut, if the beginnings were anything to go by.

Kagome was struck dumb in that moment. Her eyes traveled from his exquisite face down his beautiful masculine frame, the likes of which few women would ever have the privilege of seeing, and then she stopped…her eyes, former limpid pools of desire and want…now large shocked orbs of blinding terror.

She moved, with more speed and strength than was imaginable for a ningen female, even a miko. In one fell swoop, she dismounted the Lord of the Western Lands, as he toppled of the palette in an ungainly thud. Shock on his face, his hair a disheveled mess about his naked form, legs askew…and there…between those long powerful pale limbs lay...

“Step away from the miko and nothing gets singed!” she said, standing ready to defend, breathing heavily atop the pillows, her breasts heaving not realizing just how incredibly sensual she looked. Her robe now pooled at her feet, hands clenched, her miko powers coming to the fore as her body began to glow pink in anticipation of a fight.

All done by instinct; she felt threatened.

“Miko…what is the meaning of this?” said the Taiyoukai patiently through gritted teeth, though it was apparent, he did not feel the patience his voice implied. The damn bitch had dismounted him. What was more, he was never caught by surprise, and this was humiliating. The youkai had allowed a mere ningen to get the better of him - this was not tolerable in the least.

Kagome blinked, then blinked again, as she looked about her. She was standing, NAKED, and so was he…well, he was on the tatami…and his…she blinked again then sat not bothering to cover herself. Kagome turned and groaned covering her face with the nearest soft silk covered pillow.

“Could this possibly get more embarrassing? Oh Sesshou, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to…” she mumbled into the pillow. `Oh Kami, great move Kagome, now everything is ruined,' she thought. She honestly felt she could never look at him again.

A callus hand touched her shoulder and she shrugged it off and assumed a fetal position head hidden like an ostrich under the silken coverlet.

The damn hand did not know how to take `no' for an answer as it returned to said shoulder, and pulled her up into warm accepting arms. She opened hers and hugged him to her tightly. A rather awkward position at first being shoulder to chest, then she turned, still refusing to look at him and climbed onto his lap to be close, almost as a means of apology unaware of the simple positions true intimacy. It had not been her intent to rebuff him.

“Explain…Miko,” came the soft baritone at her neck as he held her lower back to support her, trying hard not to acknowledge her scent or the wet warmth between her legs which now moistened his abdomen, and his rigid cock.

`At least, he allowed her the grace to not look at her,' she thought as she scented his warm neck, the smell of fresh linen once again giving her a sense of safety and well being. `Perhaps, she could explain,' she thought.

“Well, you see,” she mumbled against his neck shyly, “ I have never actually seen up close a, well… you know and the ones that I have seen were in no way as …large, I mean Inuyasha was,”

She suddenly found herself on the futon proper once more, pinned as an exceedingly pissed off Taiyoukai hovered just a fraction above her. There was no lust in his eyes but blinding anger and … hurt?

“Sesshoumaru, I mean, I have seen him having a bath. I have even seen Miroku for Kami's sake, and no one, not even the guys in the magazines are as…built. I mean well endowed,” she said looking into his eyes willing him to understand. There was a subtle change in his face, some of the tension leaving his eyes but still his piercing gaze never left hers as though waiting.

Kagome finally realized what he had thought, if even for a moment, and true to form, she became angered and began pushing at his chest to no avail. This was futile.

“No games Miko, we will rut,” he said stonily pulling her legs apart violently and pressing his need to her. She froze. Now she was afraid. He truly did not understand.

Though blinded by the rage at his half-brother's name, this was not what he wanted. The Taiyoukai had no desire to take the miko by force. Ooooh … he wanted her, but equally he wanted her to want him. In this was where his true anger and confusion lay. The miko had more power than she could possibly imagine and this was not to Sesshoumaru's liking. It signaled something unfamiliar to him, vulnerability - a need to be wanted for self.

Kagome knew she had to take control, otherwise something she desired would go sour and be irreparably damaged. A thing she would not yet give a name to, she only knew this moment could change all things.

In a voice she did not recognize, she heard the following words leave her lips softly “I want you too. More than I have ever wanted anything or anyone.” She said, stroking his cheek gently.

It was enough.

Those former frozen pools melted with her words as he kissed her softly and she in turn kissed him passionately as though to re-inforce her words. Their tangled limbs ground against each other, her hands could never find purchase for more than a second or two, as she touched his body, caressing without inhibition. He kissed and licked her neck, quelling his need to mark her, it was too soon, there were other ways to gain dominance and he would take her now, albeit gently, but he would stake his claim.

“Oh Sesshou…yes, that feels so good.” she moaned, her eyes tightly closed in complete and utter ecstasy.

The priestess arched into his touch groaning softly in blissful abandon as his turgid member twitched against her stomach with promise.

“Kiss me…” she said her eyes finally opening dreamily willing him to obey her command.

Bracing himself against the palette with one strong arm to acquiesce to her demand, the Taiyoukai delighted in watching her - the miko's heightened color as she surrendered to her carnal need for his touch - she was fascinating. His thumb continued its teasing ministrations to her clit, as he kissed her pressing his tongue against her lips willing her to open to him, while one long digit entered her, just as her lips surrendered to his impatiently prodding tongue.

She gasped, as she felt the smile on his lips, when he entered her finally with a finger.

`This was bliss.'

His beast had finally awakened. It would be it's turn soon.

“Miko, it is time,” he said softly against her lips, as he tweaked her bud causing her to spasm.

She felt him tentatively prod at her, as his delicious tongue re-entered her mouth. His arms repositioned at her sides, bearing his weight, her hands pulling his head closer wanting more of his intoxicating kiss, her body tensed below him.

“Focus on the kiss miko, let your body relax; trust this Sesshoumaru,” said the Taiyoukai in a soft sultry murmur against her lips.

She did.

He made no further attempt at movement within, instead he kissed her, their lips melded as they explored each other's depths and she relaxed into his lips' soft warmth and her exotically spicy flavor. It was to her utter surprise when his hips made one smooth thrust within. The priestess gasped, her eyes opened from the intense pain that suddenly assailed. Through blurry tear filled eyes, she looked into his depths hoping for assurance. She found it. He stilled, allowing her to feel him fully within, without movement, his arms tensed while waiting.

She found that it was not as painful as she had feared, it had been abrupt, but now her senses shifted away from the sudden entry of so private a place unused by another.

The priestess felt full, and just a bit uncomfortable and yet right. He watched her patiently through hooded, ruby eyes. Kagome knew, by the tension in his face, he was having his own difficulty but still he waited and in that moment something miraculous happened, she moved.

At first tentatively as though to gage her new found fullness. It was not unpleasant in fact, it felt rather good, in a different way. She moved again, his eyes closed, his jaws clenched as though in intense pain.

Kagome instinctively coiling her legs about his waist wanting more. He complied readily, slowly at first. She was so indescribably tight and he feared hurting her but his need was intense and so, by virtue of nature's eternal dance, they moved in unison.

“Yes, yes, oh yes….” she panted as he began making love to her in earnest.

“Miko, on your hands, and knees,” he said in a breathless husky deep register, his face in shadow.

“What! You …want what?” she said completely confused as he flipped her over, none too gently, and pulled her hips to him firmly spreading her legs and entered her with force.

“Oh GOD! Yes…Yes…oh god…yeeeeeeeeeeeessss,” she screamed hardly able to breathe.

“Do you like bitch, is it good?” said a raspy animalistic voice. She could no longer see his face in this position, but she felt the change in his tempo and speed. This was his beast. Though she knew she should be afraid, she was not.

“Yes…oh yes…ooooh….mmmm…mmmm…yes, …it feels …oh god…it feels soooooooooo….Sesshou…I'm…oooooohhhh…uuuuh…uuu hhh…yes …Ooooh…mmmmmm…yes….,” the priestess mewled lost in the feel of him in their respective need for mutual completion.

“Tight… hot…wet…mine… bitch….mine…mine…MINE,” the Taiyoukai ground out between clenched teeth, his fangs exposed. He was lost to the hot wet suction of her tight embrace. `She was his,' the demon lord's beast repeated as she screamed her release. The Taiyoukai flipped his head back in conquest, his hair arching in the air to flow down his back in sweaty tendrils, as he continued to drive his member within the miko, seeking his own release.

Sesshoumaru came back to his senses to find the deliciously sexy miko below him. Now spent but still within her, as they both sought to fill their lungs with air.

Leaning over her, gently, the Western Lord licked her salty wet neck, nuzzling her hair familiarizing himself with her scent. Kagome craned her neck to the side to look up at him smiling shyly.

This amused him… `She is without guile, even now?'

She was pink from exertion, and he was not doing much better.

“So it did fit?” she said and smiled sheepishly.

“Miko?” he said turning his head to look at her quizzically.

She attempted to move onto her back, stopped by a firm callused hand to her lower back.

The Lord of the Western Lands did not intend to move at the moment. The Taiyoukai would never tell her how he loathed to leave her moist comforting depths, just yet. Instead he choose to place his body over hers…resting most of his weight on his arms as she now lay completely prone, he still snuggled within.

“I was terrified, you were going to kill me with that thing?” she said having recovered her breath sufficiently, “A girl can put an eye out with that horse dick of yours, you know?” She said with a self-deprecating chuckle.

Sesshoumaru had expected many things to be the first post coital words from the miko.

Those were not it. She had been afraid of his size. It had not been an excuse. This had never occurred to him. As far as he was concerned, this was the natural order of things. He had never stopped to think that she could truly be so afraid. This explained much. A good thing he had not beheaded her, as was his first instinct when she had thrown him to the tatami. It would have been such a waste of an excellent experience.

“How are you familiar with the size of an equine male's sexual organ miko?” he asked curiously brow quirked still nuzzling her long silky wet mane. `She was strange this ningen female…but interesting.'

“Books, silly. Basic biology, I wanted to be a vet once you know…ahh Sesshy…, I need to clean up, I feel rather sticky right now. No offence or anything, and you might want to change the sheets,” she said matter-of-factly, always being one for practicality.

Sesshoumaru disengaged from her reluctantly with a dull, wet pop.

Kagome, not being able to help herself, snickered at the incongruity of the sound. She could already tell, she was going to be in some discomfort the following morning but nothing, she felt, a languid dip in the Taiyoukai's private hot spring could not cure. She made a motion to remove herself from underneath him only to be held firmly around the waist by a strong warm smooth arm pulling her back into a hard chest, as he settled his body around her to spoon. The last words uttered in the chambers under the star light came out as a tired husky male rasp.

“Sleep now miko, you will tell this Sesshoumaru of these books of perversion tomorrow.”

Kagome was lulled by his scent, the even sound of his breathing and his protective embrace into a pleasurable somnambulistic state of peace. The miko listened intently to the ocean's waves and snuggled back into her Taiyoukai - pointedly attempting to ignore the wet spot she had made.

The Shikon-No-Miko of the Sengoku Jidai finally surrendering to sleep with a peaceful smile on her face, unaware one unseen amber orb closed in contentment as it too gave into the call for restful sleep.

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Author's Note

Ah yes, their first encounter, sex for sex's sake, love will follow …in time.

Ja Ne.

ElegantPaws